REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XLIII 



Avork of the Cominissiou, this was found to be inadequate, especially as 

 one messenger was unable to carry satisfactorily more tlian ten or 

 twelve cans, containing from 100,000 to 150,000 fish. The possibility 

 of obtaining a larger number of fish than at first, made it practicable 

 also to test the theory which the Commission has been gradually reach- 

 ing, that the number of fish likely to survive the attacks of their enemies 

 when planted in a river is increasingly jjroportionate to the total num- 

 ber introduced, or rather that the expectancy of destructiou, in a given 

 locality, is essentially an absolute quantity dependent upon the exist- 

 ing number of minnows and other predaceous fish. Thus, if the expect- 

 ancy of destruction be estimated at 100,000 young fish, we will have 

 none left to grow up from a deposit of 100,000 fish. If, however, we 

 introduce 200,000 fish, then we may claim a surplus of 100,000. It is 

 highly probable that the larger the number introduced the greater will 

 be the percentage of survivals. 



Where we can introduce a car-load of fish instead of a tenth or twen- 

 tieth of that quantity, our chances of success in stocking waters are 

 probably increased far beyond the difference in the ratio. 



When the available supply of young shad increased to an extent of 

 perhaps a million a day, for a number of days in succession, the method 

 of transportation mentioned above proved to be entirely inadequate, 

 and the experiment was made of filling an entire baggage-car with fish 

 cans and forwarding it to destination, accompanied by a suitable num- 

 ber of messengers. This was done was done with the kind assistance of 

 President Hinckley, of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 

 Eailroad, and subsequently of the officers of the Baltimore and Ohio 

 Eailroad. 



It was in time found that even this plan was insufficient, as it was 

 not always possible to obtain the cars, and these were not provided 

 with the necessary facilities for keeping the fish in good condition. 

 It was at length determined either to build a new car, or to adapt an 

 old one of proper character to this express purpose, and an arrangement 

 was finally made with President Hinckley to refit one of the best bag- 

 gage-cars belonging to his company, and sell it to the Commission, 

 when completed, at cost. 



This car was fitted up by Mr. J. H. Ridgway, of Philadelphia, as a 

 refrigerator car, and was provided with living and sleeping rooms at 

 either end for the accommodation of the messengers. It was also sup- 

 plied with air-brakes. Miller platform, six-wheeled trucks, &c., by means 

 of which it could be moved on passenger trains. 



As thus arranged, the car is capable of carrying from one to two 

 millions of fish at a load and five messengers. The details of its con- 

 struction will be given hereafter. 



The car reached Washington from the shops on the 7th of May, and 

 made a trial trip on the 2d of June to Atlanta, Ga., with shad. Owing, 

 however, to the difficulty experienced in changing the trucks at Lynch- 



